The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-03-23
scholars of the day. Henry graduated at Am

scholars of the day. Henry graduated at Am
herSt College in 1884 and studied theology
with his father at Lane Seminary, Cincinnati.
In 1887 he began pastoral work in small
Presbyterian church in Lawrenceburg, Ind,
and two years later accepted call from In
dianapolis, where he remained eight years. In
1s47 he went to Brooklyn to take charge of
Plymouth Church, then new and small body,
now the largest Congregational Church in
America, there being at present over 5000
members.
Mr.. Beecher's success in his new sphere
was immediate and phenomenal. The style
of his pulpit illustrations was new to
Eastern congregations and attracted
general attention. Besides, Mr.. Beecher
cause of abolitionism and openly advocating
the overthrow of slavery. In the agitation
that grew out of the Missouri Compromise
measures he was most conspicuous in pulpit
and platform, and his congregation, which
grew from few hundreds to as many thou
sands, heartily supported him His church
was the theatre of continual sensations.
Now it was slave girl whose freedom
was to be purchased, and now it was q collec-
tion taken up to send rifles to 'tfree Kansas
or to uphold the arms of John Brown, of Os-
sawatamie. In one sense Plymouth Chuych
became the cradle of Republicanism, at least
so far as the State of New York was con-
cerned, and on the wave of this impulse Beech
er climbed into popularity such as no Amer
lean preacher has ever attained before or
since! A rich fund of illustration, a dramatic
style and keen sense of humor gave him his
hold upon popular audiences, and his pen was
as busy as his tongue. For twenty years he was
the editor of the Independent, and for nearly
twelve years he conducted the Christian
Union, and meanwhile was editinghis sermons,
writing stories and lectures, and preparing his
"Life of Christ" A busy man, he was con-
stantly in demand as miscellaneous lecturer,
and could command his own price in the lee
ture arena. In 1868 he was sent to England
by President Lincoln, at the suggestion of
Secretary Seward. in order that he
bRs bsn pSse ss Soh S1 the question snd e Gf ths un Taf
He produced marked effect there, particu-
larly as attempts were made to put him down,
In the Long Island Historical Society Library
is collection of handbills and post
ers, printed in red ink, which were
distributed to incite public feeling
againt him. In 1865 Mr.. Beecher
went to Charleston, S. c., at the request Of
the Government and delivered an GRAFTON on
the occasion of the raising of the old flag over
Fort Sumter.
Theodore Tilton's suit against Mr. Beecher,
which resulted in the jury voting nine for Mr.
Beecher and three for Tilton, was the most
famous of the kind the country has ever seen.
Last year Mr.. Beecher went to Europe
for the second time, accompanied by his
wife, and delivered many addresses, SER
mons and lectures, being cordially, re-
ceived by his British auditors. Since
his return from England he had been engaged
on his Life of Christ" )" and was also contrib.
uting a series of articles to a syndicate of
prominent papers throughout the country.
During his long career Mr.. Beecher earned
immense sums of money. His salary when he
became pastor of Plymouth Church was
s., 200 per year, but was shortly afterward In.
creased to 81 500. These sums were increased
on various occasions until his salary had
reached S25, 900 year. During his Brooklyn
pastorate Mr.. Beecher's receipts from salary,
lectures, and literary work were over 81 ,OOO,-
600.